A number of names have been mentioned as candidates for the post, including Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand from Tottenham, and also former player and manager Glenn Hoddle.

However, both Hoddle and Sherwood turned down the opportunity, with Spurs refusing Blackburn permission to speak with Sherwood, and their coach opting not to walk out to return to Ewood Park.

This week, Blackburn have also been linked with another former Spurs manager Redknapp, but he told ESPN there is "no chance" of him being persuaded by the club's global advisor Shebby Singh to take up the post.

Redknapp, who has also been linked with Southampton and QPR in recent weeks, has been without a job since leaving Tottenham in the summer, and has recently taken up an advisory role at Bournemouth.

The current bookmakers' favourite for the Blackburn job is former Scotland international Billy McKinlay, who has occupied a coaching role at Fulham after joining the club in 2004.